Request for Town Assistance to Expedite FEMA
To: Longboat Key Assistant Town Manager Isaac Brownman
I just wanted to let you guys know that I spoke with Scott Jochum and advised him that I have put in a request for updated contact information for him at FDEM and FEMA Region 4 in Atlanta. Mr. Jochum is one of four homeowners who have gotten to the final stage of the Elevate Florida program just waiting for the potential awards to start their projects and mitigate these properties. I will keep you all posted accordingly on our progress. Thanks.
Neal Mazzei
Chief Plans Examiner & Floodplain Manager
Town of Longboat Key
Request for Town Assistance to Expedite FEMA
To: Longboat Key Chief Plans Examiner & Floodplain Manager
The Town has followed up with Mr. Jochum.
Howard N. Tipton
Town Manager
Town of Longboat Key
Request for Town Assistance to Expedite FEMA
To: Longboat Key Planning and Zoning Director Allen Parsons
Thank you!
Isaac Brownman
Assistant Town Manager
Town of Longboat Key
Request for Town Assistance to Expedite FEMA
To: Longboat Key Assistant Town manager Isaac Brownman
Thanks all. Neal is reaching out to Mr. Jochum directly on his questions. Neal’s also been in contact with Mr. Jochum in the past too.
Allen Parsons
Planning and Zoning Director
Town of Longboat Key
Request for Town Assistance to Expedite FEMA
To: Longboat Key Assistant Town manager Isaac Brownman
Sir, I think Neal did this for some of the neighboring properties in the past. See attached.
Charles Mopps
Public Works Director
Town of Longboat Key Public Works
Request for Town Assistance to Expedite FEMA
To: Longboat Key Planning and Zoning Director Allen Parsons
Allen and Charlie, please read all below. Tip committed to Mr. Jochum that staff would get back to him this week to discuss his requests. Please review Mr. Jochum 3-point request below and let me know responses to each one based on your perspective.
Do we have contacts with FEMA Region 4 and/or FDEM for the Town to reach out to on behalf of all residents who have submitted to this program?
Any concerns about a letter from the Town for this person’s particular case, or even just a general letter about residents who are waiting for outcomes from this program?
Any thoughts on his third request? Thank you.
Isaac Brownman
Assistant Town Manager
Town of Longboat Key
Request for Town Assistance to Expedite FEMA
To: Longboat Key Mayor Debra Williams
Thank you Mayor for sharing this email.
Howard Tipton
Town Manager
Town of Longboat Key
Request for Town Assistance to Expedite FEMA
To: Scott Jochum
Thank you for sharing your information. Staff will review the information you’ve submitted and get back with you this week to discuss. However, I feel compelled to share that you are not alone and that this program generally has (for whatever reasons) not been very responsive. The Town is also waiting for our more than $20 million in outstanding FEMA reimbursements and it has been a very slow process as well.
Howard N. Tipton
Town Manager, Town of Longboat Key
Request for Town Assistance to Expedite FEMA
To: Scott Jochum
Thank you for your email. I am sorry to hear about your repetitive losses and lack of response from various authorities. I am copying the town manager and assistant town manager to see if they are able to assist you in any way.
Debra Williams
Mayor, Town of Longboat Key
Request for Town Assistance to Expedite FEMA
To: Longboat Key Mayor Debra Williams
I am a resident and property owner on Longboat Key writing to request the Town’s direct assistance with a matter of urgent personal safety and community concern. My home has flooded five times in four years. Hurricane season is now underway, and I remain without a solution while my Elevate Florida application for home elevation sits in a federal approval backlog with no clear timeline for resolution.
I applied to the Elevate Florida program, the state’s FEMA-funded residential mitigation program, in good faith and have met every requirement asked of me. My property qualifies as a severe repetitive loss property under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), a designation that is supposed to prioritize my application for funding. Despite this, FEMA has not yet issued a final approval decision, and I have been told by the Florida Division of Emergency Management to seek assistance through my elected officials.
I am aware that flood mitigation is a top priority for this Commission. The Town’s Capital Improvement Plan reflects a serious commitment to drainage and resilience projects across the island, and I have seen firsthand the Town’s efforts to work with residents on these challenges. That is precisely why I am turning to you.
I am respectfully asking the Town of Longboat Key to:
1. Formally contact FEMA Region 4 and/or the Florida Division of Emergency Management on my behalf, advocating for expedited review of my Elevate Florida application given my severe repetitive loss status and the active hurricane season.
2. Consider whether the Town can provide a letter of support for my application that documents the flooding history at my property and affirms the community-level flood risk on Longboat Key, such letters can carry meaningful weight in FEMA’s prioritization process.
3. Connect me with any Town staff, grant liaisons, or county emergency management contacts who may be able to help escalate my case or identify alternative funding paths if Elevate Florida does not move forward in time.
I understand the Town cannot compel FEMA to act. But formal communication from municipal leadership, a community that FEMA and the state already recognize as a high-priority flood-risk area, could make a meaningful difference in how my application is treated.
My property details and application information are below. I am also happy to present my situation in person at a Town Commission meeting or to speak directly with Town staff at any time.
Thank you for your continued leadership on behalf of Longboat Key’s residents. I hope the Town will stand with me in pressing for a resolution before another storm season puts my home and family at risk again.
Note: I also wanted to bring to your attention that the Town has my home incorrectly categorized as repetitive loss and not severe repetitive loss. That’s an important differentiator in the FEMA approval process. I have attached a letter from my former insurance provider and NFIP direct for reference.
Scott Jochum
Longboat Key
Publix pricing
To: Longboat Key Commission
I feel then need to offer owners and residents of Longboat Key an alternative to Publix. I am for sure not the first person to notice, excessive margins make Longboat Keyers, pay through the nose. This is one tiny thing against 1,000s of massive Publix over pricing. This week, just one small issue amongst 1,000s. Yesterday, exactly the same product: Publix Fresh ‘never frozen’ cod fillets: $27.47/lb. Detweilers Fresh not Frozen cod fillet: $9.95lb.
This literally is only one of 1,000s of massive price differences. I can take and show if you have any interest. Publix are aided and abetted by the Town of Longboat Key, failing residents by their ridiculous pricing, there are 1,000s.
Who do I contact to further this request to invite another operator on the island? Failure to consider leaves questions of favouring Publix. They are just a supermarket and nobody cares to see, they give residents value against robbery.
Trevor Gillott
Longboat Key
Town Clerk retirement
To: Longboat Key Town Clerk Trish Shinkle
Trish, the honor has been all mine for sure. Our town is what it is, respected as it is and forward thinking that it is because of you. Your attention to our employees and residents isn’t by chance. Your leadership and keeping us all on track is commendable. Thank you for your time and direction over the years. You will be missed and definitely not forgotten.
Gary Coffin
Commissioner
Town of Longboat Key
Town Clerk retirement
To: Longboat Key Commissioner Gary Coffin
Just a quick note to say thank you for all your support over the past years.
Trish Shinkle
Town Clerk, Town of Longboat Key
Grants Assistance Program: May Round-Up
To: Longboat Key Commissioner Gary Coffin
Not at all. We would be glad to assist with another mass deployment of VOGs. Right now, we source them from Manatee County or the Oyster Boys. We can connect Jeff with both and potentially provide a sponsorship for the project. I look forward to hearing from him.
Megan Barry
Public Outreach Manager, Sarasota Bay Estuary Program
Grants Assistance Program: May Round-Up
To: Sarasota Bay Estuary Program Public Outreach Manager Megan Barry
Also, today I met with a Jeff Hecklau who lives in the Spanish Main neighborhood on Longboat Key. Jeff is very active in Longboat Keys community affairs. This particular property has its own Marina that is maintained by the residents, with some 4,000 feet of seawall. Jeff was very interested in learning more about the oyster garden program. He may be able to assist with installing them throughout the Marina. I informed him, someone from the Sarasota Bay Estuary program would get in touch with him and give him the scoop. I hope I didn’t overextend?
Gary Coffin
Commissioner
Town of Longboat Key
Grants Assistance Program: May Round-Up
To: Sarasota Bay Estuary Program Public Outreach Manager Megan Barry
Megan, I wanted to make sure you guys saw this. All of these issues are right in your wheelhouse. Please let me know if we can offer any assistance at our level.
Gary Coffin
Commissioner
Town of Longboat Key
Ebikes on Longboat Key
To: Longboat Key Commissioner Gary Coffin
Thank you for giving me your card but you may be sorry you did! I would like the issue of ebikes on the sidewalks of Longboat Key to be on the town’s agenda for regulation.
As a frequent walker on the sidewalks (as are many others), we are routinely having very close calls with ebikes that neither have bells like regular bikes nor observe the
10 mph speed limit. They are basically silent and give no warning of their approach from behind and have little to no regard for the pedestrians lawfully using the sidewalks.
Until they are prohibited from using the sidewalks and restricted to the bike lane on Gulf of Mexico Drive, it is just a matter of time until one of them collides with a pedestrian with the potential of causing serious bodily harm. The same goes for scooters!
Richard B. Perlman
Longboat Key
Ebikes on Longboat Key
To: Richard Perlman
Agreed Richard, I know the staff is on it and working with the state to come up with a safer solution. Thank you for your input. It is critical to our governmental process. With this reply, I have forwarded to the town manager and police chief for additional comments and direction.
Gary Coffin
Commissioner
Town of Longboat Key
Ebikes on Longboat Key
To: Longboat Key Commissioner Gary Coffin
I really appreciate your immediate response to this matter.
Richard Perlman
Longboat Key
Protect Local Services—Reject the Property Tax Proposal
To: Representative Leonard Spencer
I’m writing to urge you to reject the property tax constitutional amendment proposal.
Property taxes fund the services Floridians rely on every day: police, fire, emergency response, road maintenance, and stormwater infrastructure.
Using the most recent state tax rolls and public safety expenditure data available, an analysis of a $250,000 homestead exemption found that 85 Florida cities could not fund public safety at current levels, even if they cut every other service. Smaller communities would face the steepest impact.
The proposal includes a state trust fund to backfill local budgets. That alone is a warning sign: if cities need state grants to keep the lights on, the proposal is admitting that local resources won’t be enough. It also reroutes local funding decisions through Tallahassee, a fundamental change that deserves more careful study than a three-day special session can provide.
Florida’s property tax system already works. Please reject any proposal that defunds local public safety or shifts local decision-making to the state.
Penny Gold
Commissioner
Town of Longboat Key
Protect Local Services—Reject the Property Tax Proposal
To: Longboat Key Commissioner Penny Gold
I appreciate you reaching out to my office. Serving House District 45 is an honor, and I value the opportunity to hear your thoughts, concerns, and ideas.
My team and I are committed to advocating for our community and ensuring that every constituent has access to the resources they need. If your inquiry requires a response, a member of my team will follow up as soon as possible. Your engagement in the legislative process is important, and we value your voice!
Representative Leonard K. Spencer
Florida State House District 45
Tallahassee
Property Tax Reform Proposal and Implications for Local Government
To: Representative William Robinson
The Town of Longboat Key has enjoyed a collaborative and positive relationship with our state delegation, resulting in positive outcomes for our region and our state. In your role as the Chair of the State Affairs Committee, it is of great importance that we have the opportunity to emphasize the significance of potential property tax legislation to be considered. The Town of Longboat Key has a long and consistent history of aligning outstanding services with community expectations and fiscal responsibility. Our taxpayers understand the framework we have while consistently working hard to minimize property tax impacts and implications. As we understand the latest property tax reform proposal, it includes a $250,000 homestead exemption, with the potential for a future $500,000 homestead exemption consideration, a 5% cap on non-homestead residential properties and commercial properties, and a 5-year threshold for new residents coming into the state before they could take advantage of such exemptions. It is troubling that the incomplete details of such a massive change to local government funding are shared just a few days before a 3-day special session is to convene to consider these, and potentially other, proposals. For months, there has been ample opportunity to disclose to the public and the local governments impacted the details of any tax reform. That would have provided full transparency and the opportunity for public engagement prior to the special session. Instead, we are treated to political theater and something that’s been crafted to achieve the 60% threshold, rather than making Florida and its local governments stronger and more resilient.
As a reminder, there is in the Florida Constitution a Taxation and Budget Reform Commission (TBRC) that is established every twenty years to consider and recommend changes to the taxing mechanisms at both state and local levels. This would be a thoughtful alternative that would allow all sides of the issue to weigh in before anything is placed on the ballot. The obvious problem with this thoughtful and inclusive approach is that the Commission doesn’t meet until 2027, and that is a timing issue for our outgoing Governor. Page 1 of 2 to The Town of Longboat Key is proud to be a premier community, and as an incorporated municipality, the closest level of government to the people, we strive constantly provide exceptional service. The services we offer are the exact services desired by the community. In a small, efficient, and well-run Town, all services are “core services.” Our businesses on the island appreciate Town services as well, and in fact, enjoy an excellent working and collaborative relationship with the Town.
What has been proposed will cripple or bankrupt a number of cities and counties across the state without thinking as to how critical services (including public safety) will be provided. It will also jeopardize credit ratings and borrowing costs. It is of vital importance that the merits of any tax reform proposal have time to be examined and debated, with the best of whatever is warranted placed on the ballot for the public to decide. The Taxation and Budget Reform Commission is the right vehicle to utilize for this, while a quickly convened three-day special session is clearly not. Public officials must conduct themselves in ways that maintain public trust and confidence. Public trust is the currency that allows all levels of government to function, and without it, we are bankrupt. What’s been proposed, to the best we understand it, is not just a financial issue but also an ethical one. As local government is the government the people know the best, if we don’t stand up for the ethical principles that serve as the foundation for the greater good, who will? We respectfully ask that you do not endorse the Governor’s plan, and if you are so inclined, to charge the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission that meets in 7 months to perform the necessary review. Thank you for your service to our State and our region, and please do not hesitate to contact the Town of Longboat Key with any questions.
Debra Williams
Mayor
Town of Longboat Key
Visit Sarasota County
To: Longboat Key Commissioner Gary Coffin
Greetings from Visit Sarasota County. My team at our downtown Visitor Center informed me that you are looking for the latest tourism data. Please find both March and April’s numbers below, with full reports attached for a deeper dive.
If you need any additional information, please feel free to reach out to me or my team. Erin is away on vacation through the second week of June.
April numbers comparing 2026 to 2025:
Visitors were 113,400 compared to 115,700 in 2025
Visitor direct expenditures were $189,474,400 compared to $183,768,700 in 2025
Lodging occupancy was 64.2% compared to 68.0% in 2025
Lodging average room rate was $376.81 compared to $348.60 in 2025
There were 302,400 room nights sold compared to 311,500 in 2025
March numbers comparing 2026 to 2025:
Visitors were 158,500 compared to 155,800 in 2025
Visitor direct expenditures were $234,302,600 compared to $234,521,100 in 2025
Lodging occupancy was 81.5% compared to 83.3% in 2025
Lodging average room rate was $402.36 compared to $386.00 in 2025
There were 365,800 room nights sold compared to 373,000 in 2025
Additional Reports: You can view our latest measurement reports and quarterly recaps on demand at www.VisitSarasotaCountyTransparency.com.
Hunter Carpenter
Director of Community Relations
Visit Sarasota County
Paint on driftwood at Beer Can
To: Longboat Key Mayor Debra Williams
Hello! I’m curious as to when it became acceptable to paint graffiti on the driftwood at Beer Can. Not only is it hideous, but it can be dangerous to the ecosystem and wildlife. I know this place has changed drastically since my family first
Hello! I’m curious as to when it became acceptable to paint graffiti on the driftwood at Beer Can. Not only is it hideous, but it can be dangerous to the ecosystem and wildlife. I know this place has changed drastically since my family first came here over 100 years ago, but defiling the driftwood and going on Facebook and advertising it should not be tolerated. Hanging shells from the branches is one thing, but painting graffiti should not be allowed.
Sandy Leland
Longboat Key
Paint on driftwood at Beer Can
To: Sandy Leland
Thank you for your email and concern about graffiti on Longboat Key. Could you provide more details (location, photo) so that it can be properly addressed?
Debra Williams
Mayor
Town of Longboat Key
Paint on driftwood at Beer Can
To: Longboat Key Mayor Debra Williams
Thank you for your response. Here is the picture from the Facebook page “We Love Longboat Key.” Several people think this is “art.” It looks like vandalism. As one commenter said, “It looks like you’re trying to make Beer Can look like a NY subway.” I truly hope this can be stopped. The author of the post, Natasha Young, is the “artist.” Others also posted pics of painted driftwood at Beer Can as they apparently are trying to start a “tradition.”
Sandy Leland
Longboat Key
Paint on driftwood at Beer Can
To: Longboat Key Mayor Debra Williams
This is not unusual. Kids making art, and Public Works addresses when it pops up. It is typically not propagated like a NY subway tunnel nor does it tend to be gang or violence related material. I have copied Charlie to have his team address.
Isaac Brownman
Assistant Town Manager
Town of Longboat Key
